Flexible Ballistic Armor with Spherical Ceramic Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballistic armor systems are either heavy and inflexible, uncomfortable to use, and unable to effectively deflect high-velocity projectiles at varying angles of incidence, or they fail to optimize protective coverage while minimizing areal density, with current flexible body armor systems being criticized for insufficient bonding and edge threat defeat capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flexible ballistic armor apparatus comprising multiple spherical units made of fragmentation materials, such as tempered amorphous silica or ceramic, coated with ceramic materials, arranged within an inner and outer envelope of non-ballistic and fibrous fabrics, respectively, to dissipate kinetic energy and redirect projectile force vectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large rigid ceramic plates are used as shields, then threat defeating capability is improved, but weight and flexibility increase making them uncomfortable to use
Solution Approach 1:
The armor system divides the protective function into multiple components: flexible fabric layers for base protection and separate ceramic disk inserts for enhanced threat defeat. This segmentation allows the user to carry only the necessary protection level and enables the flexible armor to conform to body contours, reducing effective weight burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible fabric carriers and thin ceramic disks instead of large rigid plates. The flexible fabric allows the armor to conform to body shapes and move with the wearer, while thin ceramic inserts provide targeted protection against projectiles. This combination maintains threat defeating capability while dramatically reducing weight and improving comfort.
2Ease of operation
If soft fabric ballistic resistant materials are used, then flexibility and comfort are improved, but ability to deflect high-velocity projectiles at varying angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two complementary protection mechanisms: soft fabric ballistic resistant materials that provide flexibility and comfort, combined with ceramic disk inserts that excel at deflecting high-velocity projectiles at varying angles. The ceramic disks' hardness and geometry provide superior projectile deflection, while the flexible fabric carrier maintains comfort and conformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The armor system uses composite construction combining organic fabric materials with inorganic ceramic materials. The fabric provides flexibility, comfort, and basic ballistic resistance, while the ceramic inserts add hardness for high-velocity projectile deflection. This composite approach achieves both flexibility and reliable projectile deflection across varying angles.
3Strength
If ceramic disks are overlapped to spread force, then penetration resistance is improved, but bonding sufficiency and edge threat defeat capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates edge extensions on the ceramic disks that protrude beyond the fabric carrier boundaries. These edge extensions are designed in advance to provide threat defeat capability at the edges of the armor unit, addressing the weakness of conventional bonded ceramic systems before edge attacks occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceramic disks are curved to conform to the body's contour, creating a spherical or curved surface geometry. This curvature allows the disks to maintain contact with the body and each other, improving force distribution and maintaining protection effectiveness at edges and corners where flat plates would be vulnerable.
4Reliability
If armor coverage is increased to optimize protection, then protective capability is improved, but areal density increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armor system divides protection into modular ceramic disk inserts that can be selectively placed on the fabric carrier. Users can configure the number and distribution of ceramic disks based on specific threat levels and protection needs, optimizing protective coverage without unnecessarily increasing areal density in low-threat areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies ceramic disk inserts selectively to areas requiring enhanced protection while leaving other areas with only fabric protection. This local quality approach concentrates areal density where it is most needed for threat defeat while maintaining overall flexibility and comfort in less critical areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively deflects high-velocity projectiles by fragmenting and dissipating kinetic energy, reducing the risk of penetration and maintaining armor integrity, while being lightweight and adaptable for use in various applications, including body armor, vehicles, and structures.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus effectively deflects high-velocity projectiles by fragmenting and dissipating kinetic energy
Implementation Method 2
redirect projectile force vectors
Implementation Method 3
the spherical unit is coated with a ceramic material. In certain aspects, the ceramic material is Barium titanate, strontium titanate, Bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide, Boron nitride, Earthenware, Ferrite, Lead zirconate titanate (PZT), Magnesium diboride (MgB2), Porcelain, Sialon (Silicon Aluminium Oxynitride), Silicon carbide (SiC), Silicon nitride (Si3N4), Steatite (magnesium silicates), Titanium carbide, Uranium oxide (UO2), Yttrium barium copper oxide (YBa2Cu3O7-x), Zinc oxide (ZnO), Zirconium dioxide (zirconia), partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ), pottery, brick, tile, cement, glass or combinations thereof. In a specific aspect, the ceramic material has a Mohs hardness scale range from about 4.5 to 6.5
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a flexible ballistic armor apparatus for deflecting high velocity firearm, fragmentation, or shrapnel projectiles with a flexible armor unit. The apparatus minimizes the deterioration of the armor when subjected to shock waves or shear forces of a ballistic impact. The present invention also relates to the use of a flexible armor unit with soft body armor, a vehicle, a vessel, an aircraft or in structural applications.